Physical Activity and Population Health

The promotion of physical activity across the population is imperative for the reduction of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses, along with the improvements in mental health.

The research takes a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding physical activity and population health with particular emphasis on education and health promotion strategies for chronic disease prevention, treatment and well being.

The World Health Organisation highlights physical inactivity as a serious global health issue largely caused by changes in living and working patterns within both developed and developing countries.

Current Research Programs

SMART Health - Support, Motiviation and Physical Activity Research for Teacher's Health. Hunter teachers are the focus of this study targetting diabetes and mental health.

Refresh - a refreshing way to get more activity and better sleep. As a third of Australian adults only dream of getting a good night’s rest, University of Newcastle researchers are conducting a nationwide clinical trial designed to improve sleep quality amongst those aged 40-65.

Move, Eat, Sleep - can a good night's sleep be the secret to diabetes prevention? This project is hoping to unlock whether sleep is the missing link in long-term, healthy weight loss.